Page 68 of Reeling in Love

“Sophia! So that’s what this is about. You were okay with everything till now but my trying to dig into the truth has her upset. And it has you all up in arms against me. Wow!”

“You know that’s not it.”

I can’t believe she’s saying that.

“Do I? I think you never needed me to tell Daphne we were dating because in your heart you want to date and marry Sophia. Who wouldn’t? I mean, she’s smart, beautiful, successful, rich. She’s the perfect package. And I, in my foolishness, believing that it’s not what you want, came in between you two. I thought… Jesus! I’m a big fool. Sorry, Gabs. I’ll just make myself scarce. I really….”

I can’t hear her talk this nonsense anymore. Before I know what I’m doing or what’s happening, I find my lips over hers, shutting her up from spewing such nonsense.

I kiss her hard, all my anger and all my emotions coming out in that vehement kiss. She responds with the same vigor. Like two jungle animals, our tongues fight for dominance. She bites my lips and I bite hers. She pulls my hair so that it almost pains and digs her nails into my back. I pull her closer so I can feel her heartbeat on my chest, the warmth of her body flowing through mine.

We almost gasp for breath as we finally disengage.

“What was that?” she snaps, wiping her lips and looking at me with a mix of anger and confusion.

To be honest, I don’t know what that was, except that it felt good. It felt right.

“You can’t say all the shit you want and then shut me up when I say anything. You’re impossible, Gabs. I got you into this mess, but you agreed to it every step of the way. And now, when I show you the mirror, you don’t let me speak. You can’t do that. You….”

“Oh, but I can,” I say, holding her in my arms again.

Chapter 29

Nora: #LikeOrLove

Gabs’ lips are all over mine in an instant. My brain is confused. Are we still fighting? Is he still angry with me? Am I still angry with him?

Who cares? I love this feeling, his warm lips sucking mine, his tongue romping inside my mouth, his teeth grazing my lips, his heart beating against mine, almost in sync.

For a moment, nothing else matters. All troubles seem to fade away into that kiss and all that remains is us.

Us?

There is no us! There can’t be an ‘us’.

Even a fake relationship almost destroyed our friendship. I can’t imagine what a real one will do. No. This can’t be. This has to stop.

I shove him away and wipe my lips.

“No, Gabs. We can’t. Please.”

Gabs opens his mouth as if to say something, but then closes it. He runs his fingers through his tousled hair. The tension in his shoulders is palpable. Perhaps he’s confused, but so am I. The one thing I know is that he’s too important for me to risk anything. I don’t want to end up like Mom. No fucking way.

He’ll come around, I’m sure. Once we have some space between us, we both will come around, and then we can forget these kisses and this warm, fuzzy feeling and go back to being the way we were.

For now, however, I need to focus. The problem is still there. I have to think of a way to sort it out before his presentation on Monday. That gives me only a day in between. Worst case, I’ll take the blame and give him the clean chit. After all, it was my idea.

But for now, I need to think, and I can’t do that with him in front of me, kissing me at every opportunity. No. It has to stop. Now.

“I need some air,” I say, picking up my purse and phone and putting on my sandals.

“You want me to come?”

I shake my head as I stumble out of the room.

“Promise me you’ll discuss with me first before doing anything. Anything! Please.”

I nod and scurry off toward the elevator. I take out my hair brush. Thankfully, the elevator’s empty, and I can brush my hair and make it reasonably presentable before I head out of the hotel.

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